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Ailing A-Rod might miss All-Star Game

A-Rod might miss All-Star Game

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By Bryan Hoch
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MLB.com |

NEW YORK -- Alex Rodriguez has played two games with a strained left hamstring, and the results have him wondering if it's a good idea to keep going.

Rodriguez said Wednesday that he is entertaining thoughts of not playing in the All-Star Game, using the three-day break to rest the injury. With four games remaining until then, Rodriguez said he will seek out manager Joe Torre on Thursday to determine if he should be playing at all.

"I think we have to be smart," Rodriguez said. "The one thing you don't want to do is to keep going out there and get it worse, go into the break and do something that's not going to be helpful for the team. We'll get all our brains together and see what's best."

Rodriguez suffered the injury while beating out a fielder's choice in the sixth inning of the Yankees' game against the Twins on Monday. Since then, Rodriguez has played in both of New York's contests against Minnesota, but he is 0-for-8 in those games and does not have a hit in his last 19 at-bats.

Leading the Major Leagues with 28 home runs and 80 RBIs, Rodriguez has a .314 batting average and paced all vote-getters for the July 10 All-Star Game at San Francisco's AT&T Park, appearing on 3,890,515 ballots. Torre said that he would be in favor if Rodriguez decides to opt out of playing in the Midsummer Classic.

"If he feels he needs it, I think that certainly is a good idea," Torre said. "I know he's honored with the selection, but the most important thing for us is the second half of the year and how he feels."

Saying that he is hoping to avoid the disabled list, Rodriguez has been undergoing continuing treatment for the hamstring injury. As he addressed reporters Wednesday, his entire leg was encased in a soft bandage wrap, wet from melting ice.

The Yankees helped Rodriguez by using him as a designated hitter Wednesday afternoon, hours after he played third base and impressed by moving to his right to start an inning-ending double play with a sharp backhand play Tuesday night.

Rodriguez said that he would come to a decision by Saturday regarding his involvement in the All-Star Game. Rodriguez said that regardless of his inclusion in the starting lineup, he would travel to San Francisco and represent the American League instead of heading home for the break.

"Again, I'm more concerned about the four games going into the break," Rodriguez said. "I'm going to try to play as many as I can."

Bryan Hoch is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.